Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-07-22
on THE. BOUNDARY LINE.

w llIL D't -NbhH LIN lie
1t was very cold night The mercury
dropped ~ deg IN nineteen hours. Just
when Longei most to visit rrutchly, WAS
compelled to take refuge IN my easy char
and slippers before good fire.
/ A series uf accidents. eliminating in rail
road calamity that made the world shudder
reduced rne L. helplessiieSS just when q mau
Of nav temp lament should find outlets for
his energy. | was to be married on the 2Sth
and her. was the 18th was prepsred TO
marry the woman | had loved for fifteen
/ years Lowell her when cine WAS fou. years
Old: was ten had, all who knew US had
/ ample evidence that | was her choice. She
had firmly declined alliances Offering spIen-
dor where marriage with me meant, as all
the world knew, the place the wife "f a pro
/ fessor Of chemistry occupying chair III
Beal college. might make the most of. True,
/ had a small fortune. sufficient to yield me
| 2,Oo0 wear, but what was that compared
with the magniticeuce the second sol OF the
earl of Nj could have given Eian"rf
There was absolutely nothing in the WAY of
the accomplishment of Eianor's wishes. She
could have many said she should have, ac-
repted either Of the husbands New York
would have given her, with millions at
their command, but her parents had left
her wholly free and her father and mother
manifested much more interest in selecting
the furniture and decorations for our house
than either Elauor or myself.
Although in two DAYS | WAS 10 be married
TO the most perfect woman in the world,
when | meiitated ulom the metamorPhosI Is
that was about To- take place. looked around
NV apartments with regret. | sighed, ami
at that Instant a sharp, cutting blast pene-
trated the hail, and my door flew open
! AT the same instant my name was uttered,
uttered by IA voice knew well. There was
but one person i'll the world who said "Ftich
ard" in that way. 1t was Eianor.
l rose quickly, wondering how she came
there when ali means OF communication
failed me. Then | asked myself why she
came to Rutgert was in a tremor, sweet
tremor OF excitement. Instead OF closing the
door on the instant, | stood with my back to
the fire, listening TO hear Eianors voice
again Instead. heard q footstep that
recognized Instantly.
1t WAS the housenaid, Violet, q modest,
bright girl. scrupulously neat, and as honest
and bright sunlight. She brought me a
pot of tea and dish of Mrs. Edmunds
preserves, made as no other housewife could
prepare them. She glanced at the open door
in surprise as she set the salver down and
nodded demurely
Mrs Edmunds is very kind said, rs
dropped the second lump of sugar in my cup
Then, as she was going out, | added, my
curiosity getting tue better of me for once,
''yOu need not shut it.
Violet hooked at me in a surprised way.
"I-I-am not an eavesdropper, Violet, but
| am curious TO hear what our visitor has tc
say TO Mrs. EL.muuis."
-Eisitor'"
~Come Do You not know that some one
came in"
Mr. Freeman, there's no. q soul in the
house but ourselves"
/ smiled, but didn't detain her. And YET
could not help saving She left the room,
Say to Mrs. Edmunds that am looking for
special message soon"
As Violet closed the door softly after her.
fancied she gave me a Startled glance. A
for myself. could not sit down again.
paused in the act of pouring the cream into
my tea-and, holding the dainty pitcher in
nv hand. listened vainly, until remembered
that the door was closed. Then placed the
salyer upon the table near the door, and
paced the room.
What did il meant Why had Elanor called
upon Mrs Eimunds, and at tina. houri
looked at the clock on the mantel. 1t was
after e And how did she comet Curiosity
was consuming me- Mrs Edmunds might
laugh at me-let her laugh at my impatience,
| said to myself, | rang the bell The
maid came quickly in response to the sum-
mons. / pointed to the toast, biscuit and
tea as i said:
| Tell Mrs Edmunds that desire to see her
at her earliest convenience
suppose the excitement that | expert
enced was revealed in nv face, when, after
unecnscionable delay. Mrs Edmunds ap.
peared. / always 60 direct 10 my point so,
without circumlocution, said:
How did Miss Tot:cnham come here''
Miss Totteuham." Ms. Edmunds started
it was almost imperceptibie, but the well
guarded ewes revealed surprise to my ques-
tionins look.
Yes thought she came here-is she not
in the houset'
Not that am aware Of, NJ. Freeman. II
any visitor were admitted I would surely
know 1t"
She looked at me calmly; there was so
much candor in her expression; her manner
denoted so much confidence in her mildly e1
pressed opinion, that | was compelled, in
self defense. TO excuse myself in some way
1t was well that had not uttered what was
on my tongue. Had / asserted that had
heard my name spoken, and by Eianor, she
would have smiled possibly credited me with
less common sensc than possess.
| Il am, | dare say. the victim Of q strange
ballucination-bu / did think heard Miss
| Tottenhams voice. | dare say it was some
sound made by the wind. There is n fearful
! tempest tonight
1t is dIeadful-awful, Mr. Freeman. Pos
4 sibly you beard me speaking TO Violet or
Fanny"
| She was discreet. She retired without say
ing word more than was necessary, while
| i fell, rather than sat, upon my easy chair,
in a stupor. IL ever ear was certain, had
heard my name, and il was spoken by Elanor
| Tottenham, my betrothei Or was it fancy
had my sense played me a trick! Had
| sound when the winds were clustering and
the air biting, resolved itself in such resem-
blance of her voicei 1t must be. ANY other
theory was preposterous-silly in the extreme.
| Why, l said to myself, how could Elanor
travel from Crutchly to Rutger, twenty
eight miles, in such weather, and what er-
rand could be so important as to warrant her
coming. II she came who accompanied heri
Not her father. His caution, his care for her,
was a proverb.
As the ruddy light fell upon the walls, light
| ing up my rooms with warm, cheerful glow,
l sat upright, and slowly admitted to myself
that was mistaken. l looked around upon
| the objects SO familiar 10 INV p,eS and mar